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“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.” (Proverbs 15:30)

There was a time when I wanted no part of constructive criticism. I lacked the ability to tease out the constructive part – all I heard was the criticism. I had the bad habit of trying to explain my behavior. “If you only understood why I did this, then you’d see it was okay.”

If we listen to the Holy Spirit that lives within us, we will hear and receive constructive criticism. I have on more than one occasion ignored what I’m hearing and refused to receive. I’ve argued with myself and explained away my decisions. Sometimes the Holy Spirit stops whispering to my soul and speaks to me through others. We must listen and discern in order to hear the voice of truth. Then, of course, we must obey.

God gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the discerning. That’s a promise (Daniel 2:21). It’s all about the upward spiral of positive reinforcement, taken one step at a time.